Post by pavel on Jan 19, 2016 19:52:45 GMT -6
Augusta nightclubs in ex-fire marshal's alleged extortion attempt named
The two Augusta nightclubs former Augusta Fire Marshal Jason Beard allegedly attempted to extort were Level 9 Bar and Grill on Damascus Road and Rendezvous at the Three on Gordon Highway, according to a motion by his attorney to dismiss a federal indictment.
The venues previously were identified only by the initials of managers, who claimed Beard extorted payments to allow the clubs to exceed occupancy requirements, in violation of fire safety laws. Beard is opposing his firing but a Wednesday hearing before the city personnel board has been rescheduled until some time after his criminal trial, set for the first week of February, according to Augusta Senior Staff Attorney Jody Smitherman.
According to the motion to dismiss Beard’s seven-count federal indictment for extortion and attempted extortion, at issue is whether payments from managers at the two clubs “constituted extortion payments or payments for specials.”
Public safety personnel including firefighters and sheriff’s deputies routinely work off the city clock on “specials” performing security work for businesses and special events.
Read more: chronicle.augusta.com/news/government/2016-01-19/augusta-nightclubs-ex-fire-marshals-alleged-extortion-attempt-named?v=1453233495
The two Augusta nightclubs former Augusta Fire Marshal Jason Beard allegedly attempted to extort were Level 9 Bar and Grill on Damascus Road and Rendezvous at the Three on Gordon Highway, according to a motion by his attorney to dismiss a federal indictment.
The venues previously were identified only by the initials of managers, who claimed Beard extorted payments to allow the clubs to exceed occupancy requirements, in violation of fire safety laws. Beard is opposing his firing but a Wednesday hearing before the city personnel board has been rescheduled until some time after his criminal trial, set for the first week of February, according to Augusta Senior Staff Attorney Jody Smitherman.
According to the motion to dismiss Beard’s seven-count federal indictment for extortion and attempted extortion, at issue is whether payments from managers at the two clubs “constituted extortion payments or payments for specials.”
Public safety personnel including firefighters and sheriff’s deputies routinely work off the city clock on “specials” performing security work for businesses and special events.
Read more: chronicle.augusta.com/news/government/2016-01-19/augusta-nightclubs-ex-fire-marshals-alleged-extortion-attempt-named?v=1453233495